Attributes #

World Characteristics #

Background #

Varessa, once a flourishing planet home to nearly ten billion individuals, is now a symbol of anarchy and chaos in the post-collapse period of the United Collective Entity (UEC). Comparable to a smaller Earth, Varessa boasts a normative hydrographic environment marked with small seas and oceans, yet harbors a biologically hostile atmosphere, unlike Earth. This inhospitable atmosphere necessitates the use of a vacc suit for human survival, creating an intriguing yet dangerously immeasurable environment.

Following the UEC’s collapse and the absence of a central authority, government fragmentation lead to rampant balkanization. Rival factions ensued, with their own paramilitary forces dictating their spheres of influence, leading to a constant state of volatility for the planet’s inhabitants, trapped in this realm of strife. Despite the danger, these paramilitaries provide some order through their extreme means of rule.

Varessa, with a diameter of 11200 km and a surface gravity of 0.9g, accommodates a large population that can range from 1 billion to just under 10 billion. This population resides in isolated “pockets” of civilization–domed environments suitable for human habitation–spread across the forbidding landscape. Once erected and maintained by the UEC, these domes now serve as bases for different factions, pirate havens, smuggling routes, and home to innocent civilians caught in the anarchy.

Inter-dome travel is a dangerous affair, keeping these communities fractured, and power localized. This setup has allowed criminal cartels and pirates to utilize Varessa as a hub for their illicit operations due to the absence of stringent oversight, propelling Varessa as a hotspot of unauthorized economic activities and trade. The black market thrives, dealing in illicit substances, weapons, and even people. Amidst all this, entrepreneurs and opportunists find this high stakes environment alluring, desperate to stake their claim in this anarchy-driven economy.

Despite the imagine of a lawless planet, the paramilitaries of different factions enforce varying degrees of law and order. Some stick to a strict totalitarian regime, while others foster an environment of barter-based capitalism. With no influence from the UEC and lack of off-world intervention due to the planet’s hazardous atmosphere, every faction is striving for competitive advantage.

Varessa stands as a testament to the U.E.C’s monumental failure, highlighting the resultant power vacuum, unchecked violence, and rampant capitalism post its collapse. Yet, beneath this chaos, lies unexplored potentials and the promise of what could be. Its current state of disarray, fraught with political skirmishes and high-risk environments, present a dystopian mix of threat and opportunity - a world riven by survival, and the untamed possibilities therein.

Culture #

Arts and Expression #

Arts in Varessa is largely a clandestine affair. Expressions are often seen in the form of graffiti on the dome walls, sculpted using scarce resources, or illicitly printed sheets of literature circulated underground amongst the dome dwellers. Art is often used as a form of protest against the rule of paramilitary forces or rival factions, or as an avenue for sharing untold stories and exposing harsh realities of Varessa. Examples of this resistance art include the ‘Teardrop Mural’ in Dome 13 and ‘The Broken Chain’, a popular piece of literature known for its subversive themes.

Traditions #

Given the hazardous environment outside the domes, carnivals and mass gatherings are a seldom scene phenomenon. Family based ceremonies and traditions are passed down within the isolation of individual habitation units. The popular ‘Dome Day’ is perhaps the closest to a mass celebration on Varessa. It is celebrated to commemorate the day a dome was erected. Songs, anecdotes and dome-specific traditions are observed on this day, providing a rare solace amidst a chaotic world.

Values #

In a high-risk environment where survival is the paramount, core values are based around community, resilience, and resourcefulness. Varessans hold strong onto their bonds with each other. Sharing, helping, and looking out for each other are key values nurtured over generations. This strong cohesive spirit is what holds the broken world of Varessa together amidst its constant anarchical state.

Beliefs #

Beliefs on Varessa are incredibly diverse due to the fractured nature of its civilization and it’s transient nature of it’s citizens.

Social Customs #

Social customs in Varessa tend toward utility as a reflection of their harsh reality. Barter-based exchanges form a key part of social customs among Varessans. Their etiquette is based on mutual respect and a collective will to situational adaptation. Given the dangerous inter-dome travels, a system of hand signals and coded messages have developed for communication that transcends verbal language, often facilitated by clandestine groups or underground networks. Inter-dome relationships are also an intriguing facet of Varessa’s social customs. Intermarriage and alliances are crucial for diplomacy, survival, and expanding faction influences.

Varessa, while a portrait of chaos, yet narrates a story of resilience, community, and survival. Its culture signifies the indomitable spirit of anarchy-ridden humanity, refusing to succumb to adverse circumstances.

Religion and Belief #

Religious Practices and Beliefs in Varessa #

Given the fractured nature of Varessa’s civilization, religious practices are diverse and distinctly regional, shaped largely by the unique conditions and histories of each dome. However, they can be divided into three broad categories:

1. Dome Deism: Many dome communities subscribe to a form of deism that venerates Varessa’s hostile environment as a divine entity. They believe in ‘Mother Varessa’, the embodiment of their planet’s environment, who is neither benevolent nor malevolent but simply indifferent. The thinking goes that only by respecting, understanding, and adapting to Varessa can one survive and prosper. Their major practices include offerings (baskets of scarce materials left outside the dome), silent vigil (observing a moment of silence each morning while facing the dome wall), and graffiti art that often symbolically represents Mother Varessa.

2. Cults of Ancestry: These religions have gradually transformed into a more general ancestor veneration. The domes that follow this practice believe that the spirits of their ancestors watch over them. Ancestor Shrines are common in dwellings decorated with personal belongings or images of deceased loved ones. They conduct a yearly ritual on Dome Day known as ‘The Calling’, seeking protection and guidance from their ancestors.

3. The Survivalists: There are the atheistic factions who have a belief system centered on the power of human survival in chaos. For them, strength, resilience, and resourcefulness are the ‘gods’. They have a ritualistic life approach that includes physical and mental training, resource management, and community cooperation. They venerate the most resourceful among them, and their leaders are often given titles like ‘Masters of Survival’.

The impact of these belief systems on the society is profound. They play a crucial role in shaping dome community ethics and lifestyle. For the Dome Deists, respecting and understanding the environment is of paramount importance. This translates into optimal use of limited resources and efficient ways of living. The Ancestor Worshippers emphasize on moral values inherited from their ancestors, fostering community bonds and interpersonal ties. For Survivalists, the emphasis on human power and the drive to adapt leads to innovative practices and technologies.

Regardless of belief systems, what unites all domes is the respect for resilience, community, and survival, the core values of Varessa. These beliefs manifest uniquely in each dome, shaping its culture, identity, and societal norms. Uniting against regular threats and significant challenges, the society, in a way, reflects a complex manifestation of their religious beliefs. Despite the diversity, the essence of their religion, like their culture, is essentially the same - a pursuit of survival against all odds.

Politics #

Government Structure #

Varessa does not have a centralized government structure due to the collapse of the United Collective Entity (UEC). Diplomacy, therefore, is not consistently structured or rigid but dynamic and adaptive. In its place, small regional governments and paramilitary factions have sprung up, each controlling a different dome or series of domes. These governments are mostly autocratic, with leaders often being the strongest, most resourceful or tactically adept individuals. Positions of power are frequently contested, leading to an ever-shifting political landscape.

In some domes, rule is by council, where the eldest or most influential families make decisions for the community. Other domes rely on charismatic leaders or figureheads, often individuals who stand out for their survival skills, resourcefulness, or military acumen. The system remains nothing short of anarchy, with changes in leadership and political climates largely dictated by the survival of the fittest.

Laws & Policies #

Given the anarchy and diversity of Varessa, laws and policies differ vastly from dome to dome, and are often driven by the community’s core values. Some domes feature a strict totalitarian regime ensuring survival and maintaining order, while others follow a more loose set of rules with an emphasis on individual responsibility and barter-based capitalism. Laws are also heavily influenced by the religious beliefs prevalent in each dome.

Punishments for breaking laws also vary, ranging from ostracization to physical punishments.Depending on the nature of the faction in control, some permissions may be granted for activities like smuggling and trading on the black market.

Despite the seeming chaos, there are some universally recognized codes across Varessa. Violating these could lead to severe punishment or death, and include crimes like murder, theft, and damaging the domes.

Diplomacy #

Diplomatic relations between the domes are complicated and often precarious given the variability in power hierarchies. Negotiations for peace, resources, or alliances are usually handled by the leaders or representatives. Due to the hazardous nature of inter-dome travel, most of these negotiations take place through coded messages or hand signals.

Some domes have non-interference pacts, allowing for peace between certain factions. Others are in a constant state of conflict due to resource scarcity or territorial disputes. Inter-dome alliances through marriage or familial ties are another important aspect of Varessan diplomacy.

Diplomatic feuds, however, are common and sometimes result in bloody skirmishes or outright wars between domes. Despite this fractured state, Varessans still reach out to each other in times of calamity or crisis, showing a glimmer of unity and shared humanity amidst the overriding chaos.

Key Figures in Varessa #

Kaelen Voss, The Dome Governor #

Role: Governor of the Central Dome.

Description: Middle-aged, commanding presence, diplomatic, strategic mind, respected for maintaining stability and fostering trade.

Elara Mynx, The Chief Engineer #

Role: Head Engineer of the Northern Dome.

Description: Young, tech prodigy with a cybernetic arm, dedicated to dome’s safety and technological advancements.

Dax Tarren, The Paramilitary Commander #

Role: Leader of the Red Falcons. Description: Battle-hardened veteran, scarred face, ruthless tactics, iron grip on territories, ensures discipline and protection.

Nyx Solari, The Underground Artist #

Role: Symbol of resistance through art.

Description: Mysterious identity, symbolizes rebellion, known for impactful graffiti, signature stylized solar eclipse.

Jorin Krell, The Black Market Trader #

Role: Influential underworld figure.

Description: Sharp mind, silver tongue, well-dressed, operates a network of informants and traders, deals in rare commodities and forbidden tech.

Ayla Rahn, The Spiritual Leader #

Role: Founder of the Dome of Harmony.

Description: Serene, older woman, preaches balance and harmony, seen as a beacon of hope in a chaotic world.

Lukas Verne, The Diplomatic Envoy #

Role: Envoy for inter-dome negotiations.

Description: Middle-aged, well-spoken, formal attire, known for calming tense situations, prevents conflicts, fosters cooperation.